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Dr. Rohrer's primary research interest is to use genetic markers to understand the inheritance of production traits in pigs. This research uses a genomics approach to identifying genetic markers associated with performance traits in a population of pigs that have detailed measurements on a large number of important traits. The population being studied is a cross between Landrace, Duroc and Yorkshire pigs (representative of commercial US market hogs). Data collected include litter size, growth rate, carcass cutout, pork palatability, boar fertility and health traits. Results of these studies should identify genetic markers that can expedite genetic progress in commercial US pig populations as well as further our understanding of the inter-related structure of these complex traits.